Weight gain symptoms can be annoying or even distressing, but you need to take action if you notice your weight increasing rapidly. Some rapid weight gain may be a sign of something serious, while others are simply a result of lifestyle choices.
Eating more because of depression
People with depression may eat more food than usual to help them cope with the feelings of sadness and emptiness. They may also have a hard time mustering energy, which can make it harder to exercise.
Taking medication, like some antidepressants or drugs for high blood pressure, can lead to weight gain because the drug may reduce your metabolism. The medicine also may cause a side effect called nausea, which can make you eat more than usual.
Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery, can cause weight gain because the medications lower your metabolism and cause you to eat more. These drugs can also cause menopause, which can make you eat more because of the hormonal changes involved.
Fatigue during cancer treatment can also lead to weight gain. The drugs used to treat cancer can make you feel tired, which can make you eat more to compensate for the lack of activity.
If you’re gaining weight, be sure to talk to your healthcare team about it. They may recommend tests to find out what is causing the weight gain and what steps you can take to get back on track.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Some types of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can cause weight gain because the inflammation can cause your body to retain fluid. This can cause swelling in your legs, ankles and feet, which can add to the weight you’re gaining.
Peptic ulcer disease
If you have a peptic ulcer, it can cause pain in your stomach or small intestines that can make it difficult to keep food down. This can lead to eating habits that are geared toward coping with the pain, Elizabeth Lowden, M.D., a bariatric endocrinologist at Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group tells SELF.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and your medical history, and they may also perform a physical exam and blood tests to find out the cause of your weight gain.
Other health conditions, such as heart failure, can cause sudden weight gain or swelling in the body because fluid builds up in your tissues. This can be a sign of damage to your heart, or problems with the way your kidneys work.
Swelling due to fluid retention
If your kidneys don’t function properly, they may not remove waste and excess fluid from your body, causing them to build up in your body, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can cause swelling, which is also known as edema, in your legs, ankles and feet.
Inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and heart failure can all cause rapid weight gain. Symptoms include swelling in your feet, ankles or legs, and your skin feels stiff and tight when you touch the affected area.
